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President Bola Tinubu says he is not a bigoted, declaring that Nigeria must develop and must be beyond religious bigotry.
Tinubu said it when he received the Catholic conference of the Bishop of Nigeria (CBCCC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday 14 March 2025.
Tinubu, who highlighted the importance of citizens and leaders who invest in the nation to build a strong society, stressed that hat poverty affects everyone regardless of religion and has asked for collective efforts to fight it.
He observed that security agencies were already reducing the insecurity of the nation, underlining that the members of all religions felt the impact of efforts.
The president said: “Remove the fuel subsidy was hard, difficult for me, but it is a difficult choice that Nigeria has to face. We will not go bankrupt in our country.
“We were spending the investment of the future of our children but still born; We were spending their rights and poverty does not have a religious base. There is no religious coloring, no identity. It affects everyone and we have to fight it together.
“This insecurity, everyone is affected, Christians, Muslims. I have no religious prejudices; I won’t be a bigot. My wife is a shepherd of Redentate Christian Church. But we must think of our country; This country must develop and must be beyond religious bigotry. And I’m open here, ready to listen.
“We’ve been together for some time. We have a policy with open doors. I won’t close the door. “
Tinubu thanked the religious leaders for their prayers, saying that the country is already witnessing a better agreement and a new optimism.
Tinubu also highlighted the competition between operators in the oil sector, the harvest enjoyed by farmers and the lowest prices of raw materials, adding that investments are scrolling through the country.
He added: “There is hope; People are coming to invest. They are saying positive things about Nigeria. I am very proud of it.
“What seems to be a very difficult beginning is to show us hope. And we are not yet halfway. I am happy to see this period alive and healthy, and I am grateful to all of you for your prayers. “
Most of the reverend Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, archbishop of Owerri and President of the CBCCC, who led the delegation of 20 bishops from all over the country, said he was at the State House to congratulate President Tinubu for his victory, not having had the opportunity last year and to praise the efforts to reposition the country and share some concerns.
The cleric said: “The mantra of your government’s politics is anchored to the principles of renewed hope.
“In this regard, we are pleased to inform you that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, said this year as the year of hope, the year of hope of the Jubilee, a theme that we have adopted for our conference. We came with the final fruits of our resolutions and we will share them with you. “
He said that the removal of fuel subsidies undoubtedly influenced people and praised the tax reform initiative, which he believed would “generate, in the long term, more resources to advance the common good”.
The President of the CBCCC has recognized the efforts of the security agencies to reduce insecurity in court and urged the most concerted efforts to “rekindle hope and inspire trust in our people’s hearts”.
The bishops have asked for a well -defined vision of religion as a force for moral integrity and the patriotic unity without necessarily affecting the fundamental rights of individuals.
“Efforts should be made to ensure that religious practice in Nigeria promote the unity rather than the division,” they added.
On religious pilgrimages, the body has said that the government should sponsor offended hands to reduce waste and corruption.
They said: “The government should allow religious groups to take full responsibility for organizing pilgrimages. In their current structure, the boards of national and state administration are neither needed their followers nor the wider interest of the nation.
“You are undoubtedly aware of the instances of corruption that led to the removal of some council managers to ensure greater efficiency and responsibility.
“We propose that public funds are redirected to urgent national needs.”
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